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Cleaning Out the Rust on your Brake Rotors

This entry was posted on Mar 5, 2019 by Brake Time USA

Cleaning Out the Rust on your Brake Rotors

The brake rotors in your car form one of the quickest-rusting parts, mainly because of the way they are placed in a dark and bank location. Even with common car care, rust would build over time, and the get to the point that it prevents proper braking operation. Removing that much rust is easy enough; what is hard though, is getting rid of rust that has formed along the rotor's edges. Based on how much of it you are dealing with, the difficulty would vary.

It goes without saying that you should apply your brakes at least once in a while when behind the wheel. Even something as simple as that can hold off rust accumulation, through the friction caused when the brake pads and rotor rub together. Slam down on the brakes a few times to take off any rust that is already there, but make sure to do it only in an empty space, such as a vacated parking lot. As for cleaning the hubs and rotors of rust, taking the following steps can accomplish that for you.

Cleaning without Removing the Rotors

Raise the car up for better access.

Loosen up the lug screws/nuts.

Loosen the wheels by fully unscrewing the lug nuts, and then take them off.

Put some brake cleaner on the brake area, and make that thorough.

Ensure that you spray the rotors and calipers as well.

Make use of a regular rag or microfiber cloth to wipe the area on and around the rotors, as well as that outside the calipers.

Replace the wheels you took out earlier.

Lower the car back to ground level.

Take it from a drive, and keep in mind that this has to be long enough for the brakes to self-clean.

The main advantage of this method is that it is easy and quick, not to mention convenient. It may not be as thorough as deep cleaning, but it still manages to do the job you require of it.

Cleaning after Removing the Rotors

Put on safety gloves and goggles, as well as other required safety equipment.

Carefully lift the vehicle using a jack placed on a leveled ground.

Loosen up the lug screws/nuts.

Loosen the wheels by fully unscrewing the lug nuts, and then take them off.

Remove the calipers.

Remove the brake rotors.

Generously spray brake cleaner on the rotors.

Wait to allow any extra brake cleaner to drip off.

Using a regular cleaning brush, gently scrub the brake rotors. Do this enough to soften any accumulated rust and corrosion.

Take the stainless-steel wire and use it as a brush, scrubbing the brake rotor in circular motions.

Spray the area with a cleaning agent, and then wipe down the rotors till they are dry.

This is effectively a deep cleaning method, best suited to people who have the rig available for lifting their cars, as well as know how to work without distractions or dangers nearby. The main downside is that it consumes significant time, but it does leave your rotors completely free of rust.